Israeli Spy Chief resigns amid growing pressure over October 7 intelligence failures

Major-General Aharon Haliva, the head of Israeli military intelligence, has resigned amid mounting criticism over the failure to anticipate and prevent the deadly Hamas attack on October 7. The Israeli military announced his resignation on Monday, marking the first high-ranking official to take responsibility for the catastrophic security lapse that resulted in over 1,100 deaths and about 240 hostages.

In his resignation letter, Haliva cited his inability to prevent the attack as the primary reason for stepping down. The Israeli military’s statement confirmed that his resignation was approved by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and would take effect once his successor is appointed through a structured and professional process. Haliva’s resignation comes at a time when the Israeli government is focused on its ongoing military operations in Gaza following the deadly assault.

Haliva served in the Israeli military for 38 years, building a reputation for his expertise in intelligence and counterterrorism. However, the October 7 attack exposed critical gaps in Israel’s intelligence capabilities, leading to public outrage and calls for accountability. As Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, pressure on the government and military officials to explain the intelligence failures has increased.

The Hamas offensive caught Israel by surprise, leading to a brutal response in Gaza that, according to health officials, has claimed the lives of more than 34,000 people. Haliva’s resignation is seen by many as a significant acknowledgment of the Israeli intelligence community’s shortcomings. In his resignation letter, he expressed deep remorse, stating, “The intelligence directorate under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night.”

Despite Haliva’s resignation, the pressure on Israeli leadership continues to grow as the public and international community demand answers regarding the security failures. Political analysts suggest that Haliva’s decision to resign may be an implicit call for other officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to consider their roles in the events leading to the October 7 attack. However, Netanyahu has yet to accept direct responsibility, maintaining a firm stance on continuing the military campaign in Gaza.

Political experts like Yossi Mekelberg from Chatham House believe that Haliva’s resignation could trigger further scrutiny of Israel’s intelligence community. Mekelberg notes that the Israeli military’s misjudgment of the threat from Hamas and other regional actors, like Iran, has put the region on edge, with the potential for wider conflict. He stated, “The pressure on Haliva was immense, not just for the October 7 failures, but also for failing to gauge the Iranian response to the Israeli attack on its consular building in the Syrian capital, Damascus.”

Overall, Haliva’s resignation represents a pivotal moment in Israel’s ongoing examination of its intelligence and military strategies. It underscores the need for accountability and reform as the country grapples with the aftermath of the October 7 attack and its consequences.